These two deer stayed around for their portrait. A third was a little camera shy and exited stage right.

Good afternoon to all of you. Most of Monday has been sunny, but as of early afternoon a cloud has taken up residence on the top of Tennessee. Last night and most of today we've been above the cloud deck in the valley. We could see the far range of the Cumberlands on the horizon, but Pigeon Forge was invisible, smothered in clouds in our own shadow.

We ended up receiving 0.24 inches of rain up top Sunday, less than I anticipated based on the weekend forecast. However. things are greening up nicely as the deer pictured above surely appreciate. They were taking their supper a couple hours after we rang the dinner bell for our guests. Again, there wasn't much variation in the temperature with a high of 58 and low of 51.

When I hiked down the night of the April full moon to begin my off days, I was treated to a majestic sight on my drive home. I hiked down in the dark, but the full moon wasn't quite ready to make an appearance yet, so I didn't see it illuminate the Alum Cave Bluff Trail scenery (a spectacular sight if you're hiking in the dark on purpose).

However, by the time I was in my car and climbing the Gatlinburg bypass, the moon was just about to rise behind Mt. LeConte, backlighting the mountain with a purple glow. That unearthly glow embracing LeConte's summit that night trumped the neon-fueled light emanating from Gatlinburg by a far sight. It was almost like the mountain was showing off for its urban neighbor below: "Go ahead and put up all the colored lights on every shop you want. Try to top this. Here stands LeConte, mighty and majestic."

Thanks for reading. Have a fine day. Happy trails.

Debnfl

5/20/2013 09:22:46 am

I can only imagine hiking in the dark down Alum. Brave soul you are but I guess your not the first or the last. I'll stick to wishing for some sunshine when I hike, or close to it!

Donna

5/20/2013 09:33:02 am

I personally would not want to hike in the dark, especially Alum but hats off to those that do! I was wondering if anyone can tell me about the 2 mile connecter trail from Rainbow/Bullhead parking lot to the Trillium Gap/Grotto Falls Trail. We are coming up Friday and would like to see the llamas on the way up on Trillium but would like to come down Bullhead, therefore, park at the Rainbow parking lot and hike the 2 (is that accurate) extra miles before going up Trillium Gap. Is it a fairly easy 2 miles or is it steep or rocky. We are used to Alum, but of course it is only 5 miles.

Brian N bama

5/20/2013 11:19:40 am

Donna, I have never done the extra 2 miles in the woods. The conector trail is close to the roadway so I usually just jog down the roadway to the parking lot.

Nash

5/20/2013 12:38:31 pm

Donna, I have hiked that trail a number of times in the winter when the road is closed. The connector trail is just under 2 miles. It follows the road steadily uphill, and it is not very steep or rocky. My preference would be to hike that section on my way back to the car rather than on the way up. Adding 2 miles to a LeConte hike is easier after going downhill. Also, I have seen more bears on that trail than any other in the park although they have never posed a problem.

tomk in SC

5/20/2013 11:56:40 pm

I have done the connector always choose away from that option. It undulates quite a bit and offers little in the way of views. As for catching the llamas, I believe you will have to be hiking very early to get in front of them and then have them pass you on the way up. If you are early enough to catch them before they start and again when they are climbing it will be clickworthy for sure. (Have your camera ready as they seem to come up on you quickly) If you launch after the llamas, I doubt you will catch them. (Chrissy, what is the climb time?) Alternatively, go UP Rainbow and DOWN Bullhead and catch the llamas at the top. (Chrissy: What are the typical departure times from bottom and from the top?) Consider catching the llamas at the trailhead, then driving back around to Rainbow Falls and hiking up from there.

doug y

5/20/2013 11:02:16 am

You haven't experienced a wonderful hike if you've never done so in the dark. Here you can face your fears and imaginations, but it is truly an envigorating experience, especially with a snow on the ground in winter. Your description of seeing Mt. Leconte from the bypass must have been most delightful Nathan. I seldom drive through town myself, much prefering to get on into the Park via that circuitous route. It's 5:59pmEST now and I just KNOW I hear the lodge dinner bell ringing !! I'd glady trade the big batch of lasagna I've been cooking for a meal up there ! Good evening !!

The call of the wild

5/20/2013 04:39:20 pm

Mountain Wolf.

Debi

5/20/2013 10:37:37 pm

Must have been a beautiful picture Nathan. Hiking in the dark would be awesome. I don't think I'd want to do it alone though.

Smoky

5/20/2013 11:51:13 pm

You wouldn't be alone......

doug y

5/21/2013 01:00:22 am

Donna: I would recommend the same advice as did Nash: park at the Trillium trailhead, and to see the llamas getting prepared there means you need to get there early, like right about daylight; Trillium is my favorite trail; I like to get out ahead of the llamas, stop at Grotto Falls and wait for them to pass me there; I take back out right behind them, although I no longer try to keep up with them. Then coming down Bullhead and taking the 'connector' will make for a good round trip. I, too, have seen more bears on the Trillium trail than anywhere else in the Park, probably because I'm on Trillium more often. Enjoy.

Kathy

5/21/2013 02:17:19 am

Never wanted to hike in the dark to the lodge. Back in Oct 2012, we had no other choice then hike in dark till 10:30 . Was caught in a snow storm and it got dark on us. Was very beautiful hiking in the snow which was very deep. Have a flashlight kept us on the trail. I was amazed at the darkness and looking up to the sky. It was a great experience and was very proud of myself for keeping my cool and enjoying the beautiful mountain.

Good morning. If y'all will click on the arrow next to my name, there is an excellent blog about a young girl hiking the AT with her dad to raise food for hunger. Here is the link as well.
http://sassafrasandkabooseatadventure.blogspot.com/

JT Mobile ALA.

5/21/2013 04:08:05 am

Thanks for the website, I read Trail Journals everyday as well as this site excellent trail and hiking experiences on the AT Happy Trails .

Brian N bama, I especially appreciate knowing about the website you referred to. I'm hiking for my health & spiritual well-being while raising money for Sevier County Food Ministries by getting sponsors and donations for the miles I hike. My goal is to train so I can make it to LeConte by all 5 trails. The girl and her dad are an inspiration for me with a much loftier goal than mine. If other hikers would like to join me in helping the food ministry, that would be lovely! The more people hiking for food, the better. Thanks, Brian, for sharing the inspirational site!

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LeConte Lodge

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